Finger warming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A finger warming apparatus that is configured to receive four human fingers therein wherein the present invention is configured to be inserted into a pocket or mitten and have fingers journaled thereinto. The finger warming apparatus includes a body wherein the body is formed utilizing a lower wall and an upper wall. The lower wall and upper wall are joined along an outer perimeter edge so as to form a cavity being of suitable size to accommodate four human fingers therein. The body includes an opening providing access to the cavity. The body is formed such that the lower wall has a length that is less than that of the length of an upper wall so as to provide a desired fit and inhibit interference from the palm of the user. The body is manufactured from cloth and includes heating elements disposed in the upper wall and lower wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hand warming technology, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a warming apparatus that is configured to specifically address the deficiencies in the warming of the phalanges through providing a structure that surroundably mounts the phalanges of a user so as to provide sufficient warming thereof.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, hand warmers are routinely utilized by many individuals in cold climates and while participating in various events. Many enthusiasts of winter sports and other participants in outdoor activities utilize hand warmers to either continue participation in colder weather or provide comfort for further viewing. Conventional hand warmers are typically rectangular or bag shaped and are agitated to initiate the exothermic reaction that is operable to generate the desired heat. The exothermic reaction is generated by materials in the device that most often are iron powder, salt, water, absorbent material and activated carbon. While conventional devices have proven effective at generating warmth, there are deficiencies in the existing technology.

One issue with existing devices is the inability to provide effective warmth for the phalanges. The shape of conventional hand warmers require the need for users thereof to clench with their hand, often the user will hold the hand warmer in a clenched hand in a pocket. Clenching of the hand places the hand warmer in a location such that the majority of the heat will be transferred to the palm of the hand. As a result, the phalanges of the user will not be provided with a sufficient amount of heat. The phalanges of individuals and the temperature thereof provide the most comfort. If the phalanges of a user are cold, this will create an undesirable environment for a user and can result in the inability to continue participation of the user in the outdoor event in cold weather.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that is operable to provide an increased temperature for phalanges of a user wherein the present invention is constructed to surroundably mount the phalanges so as to ensure desired heat distribution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a hand warming device that is focused on providing improved heat distribution to the phalanges of the hand of the user wherein the present invention includes a body formed to create a cavity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus operable to provide heat to the phalanges of a user wherein the body of the present invention includes an upper wall and a lower wall that are secured along a common peripheral edge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand warming device that is focused on providing improved heat distribution to the phalanges of the hand of the user wherein the body is formed to create a cavity between the upper wall and lower wall.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus operable to provide heat to the phalanges of a user wherein the body of the present invention includes an upper end and a lower end wherein an opening is present at the upper end.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hand warming device that is focused on providing improved heat distribution to the phalanges of the hand of the user wherein the upper wall has a length that is greater than that of the lower wall.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus operable to provide heat to the phalanges of a user wherein the upper wall and the lower wall include an outer layer manufactured of cloth or similar material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand warming device that is focused on providing improved heat distribution to the phalanges of the hand of the user wherein the upper wall and lower wall both include a heat production layer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus operable to provide heat to the phalanges of a user wherein a preferred embodiment of heat generation from the heat production layer is created through an oxidation reaction.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the upper wall of the body of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lower wall of the body of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a finger warming apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the finger warming apparatus 100 includes a body 10 that is manufactured from a material such as but not limited to cloth. The body 10 includes an upper end 12 and a lower end 14 wherein the upper end 12 has an opening 16 proximate thereto. Opening 16 provides access to the cavity 18 wherein the cavity 18 is of suitable size to accommodate four human fingers therein. The body 10 includes an upper wall 20 and a lower wall 30 that are operably coupled and configured to create the cavity 18. The upper wall 20 and lower wall 30 are joined along the outer peripheral edge 35. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the upper wall and lower wall 30 could be joined utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to stitching or chemical adhesion. The preferred shape of the body is illustrated herein and is formed so as to be easily inserted into a pocket or inside a mitten wherein the user of the finger warming apparatus 100 can subsequently insert there fingers into the cavity 18 of the finger warming apparatus 100 so as to provide warming thereof.

The upper wall 20 includes an upper edge 21 and the lower wall 30 includes an upper edge 31. The body 10 is configured such that the upper edge 21 extends beyond the upper edge 31 of the lower wall 30. The upper edge 21 is designed to extend to the base knuckles of the fingers ensuing being inserted into the cavity 18 of the finger warming apparatus 100. The upper edge 31 is positioned so as to be positioned proximate the lower end 5 of the a palm 99. The aforementioned position of the upper edge 21 and upper edge 31 of the lower wall 30 provides the correct fit so as to cover the fingers of the user and not have the palm 99 interfere with the fit of the finger warming apparatus 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that alternate configurations of the upper edge 21 and upper edge 31 could be executed in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3 submitted as a part hereof, the upper wall 20 of the finger warming apparatus 100 is illustrated therein. The upper wall 20 includes outer layer 23 formed to create a void 24. Disposed within the void 24 is a heating element member 50. The heating element member 50 is configured to have disposed therein the necessary chemicals to generate heat wherein the preferred embodiment generates heat through an oxidation reaction. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the heating element member 50 could be configured to generate heat utilizing various alternate technologies. The heating element member 50 is secured to the inner surface 19 of the upper wall 20 proximate the upper portion 27 utilizing suitable durable techniques. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the heating element member 50 is substantially equivalent in size to the upper wall 20.

Now referring now to FIG. 4 submitted as a part hereof, the lower wall 30 of the finger warming apparatus 100 is illustrated therein. The lower wall 30 includes outer layer 33 formed to create a void 34. Disposed within the void 34 is a heating element member 60. The heating element member 60 is configured to have disposed therein the necessary chemicals to generate heat wherein the preferred embodiment generates heat through an oxidation reaction. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the heating element member 60 could be configured to generate heat utilizing various alternate technologies. The heating element member 60 is secured to the inner surface 39 of the lower wall 30 proximate the upper portion 37 utilizing suitable durable techniques. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the heating element member 60 is substantially equivalent in size to the lower wall 30. While two heating element members 50, 60 are illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the finger warming apparatus 100 could employ only one heating element member that would be disposed in either the lower wall 30 or upper wall 20.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A finger warming apparatus that is configured to provide a temperature greater than that of its surroundings wherein the finger warming apparatus comprises: a body, said body having at least one wall formed to create an interior volume, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having an opening at said second end, said opening providing access to said interior volume; a least one heating element, said at least one heating element being disposed in said at least one wall of said body, said at least one heating element being substantially an equivalent size as the at least one wall of said body; and wherein said at least one wall includes an upper edge and a lower edge proximate said opening, wherein said upper edge extends outward from said opening at a distance greater than said lower edge.
 2. The finger warming apparatus configured to provide a temperature greater than that of its surroundings as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior volume is sufficient in size to accommodate four human fingers therein.
 3. The finger warming apparatus configured to provide a temperature greater than that of its surroundings as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one wall of said body is manufactured from cloth.
 4. The finger warming apparatus configured to provide a temperature greater than that of its surroundings as recited in claim 3, and further including a void, said void being intermediate said at least one heating element and an inner surface of said at least one wall.
 5. A finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature wherein the finger warming apparatus comprises: a body, said body having an upper wall and a lower wall, said upper wall and said lower wall being joined at an outer peripheral edge, said body having a first end and a second end, said lower wall and said upper wall operably coupled to form a cavity therebetween, said body having an opening proximate said second end, said opening configured to provide access for four fingers to said cavity; a first heating element, said first heating element disposed within said upper wall, said first heating element being substantially equal in size to said upper wall; and a second heating element, said second heating element being disposed within said lower wall, said second heating element being substantially equal in size to said lower wall.
 6. The finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature as recited in claim 5, wherein said lower wall includes an upper edge, said upper edge of said lower wall being proximate said opening.
 7. The finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature as recited in claim 6, wherein said upper wall further includes an upper edge, said upper edge of said upper wall being proximate said opening.
 8. The finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper edge of said upper wall is at a distance from said first end of said body that is greater than that of said upper edge of said lower wall.
 9. The finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature as recited in claim 8, and further including a void, said void being present intermediate said first heating element and said upper wall, said first heating element being secured to a portion of an inner surface of said upper wall.
 10. The finger warming apparatus operable to provide a temperature for fingers disposed therein that is warmer than that of an environmental temperature as recited in claim 9, wherein said lower wall further includes a void between the second heating element and an inner surface of said lower wall, said second heating element being secured to a portion of said inner surface of said lower wall. 